After the game, Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) retweeted a fan's picture of his pose with the superimposed headlines: "Score a touchdown. Kiss your tattoos. #KAEPERNICKING."

Kaepernick attached a personal message to that image: "Love my tats, even if you don't."

Apparently that struck a chord with both Kaepernick and tattoo fans across the world. Among the Kaepernicking images he reposted were some from Mexico City, Toronto, Michigan, Oklahoma, Reno and his hometown of Turlock.

Kaepernick, a second-year quarterback out of the University of Nevada, is 3-1 since becoming the 49ers' starter in place of Alex Smith. The 49ers (9-3-1) visit the New England Patriots (10-3) on Sunday night with a chance to repeat as NFC West champions.

A year ago, Tim Tebow also was a second-year quarterback in a playoff chase when his pose sparked a "Tebowing" craze.